Looking for San Francisco running trails you can take a stroller on? This guide shares the best paved paths for strollers across San Francisco, including wide, mostly car-free routes that are ideal for running with kids, double strollers, and little bikers. From Golden Gate Park to waterfront promenades, these stroller-friendly running trails make it easier to stay active while exploring the city.
I don’t think I’ve ever shared this on the blog, but I love to run. I started running in high school and never stopped. I completed the LA Marathon twice in college and ran until at least 32 weeks pregnant with all four of my pregnancies. Running is my favorite way to work out, my favorite way to de‑stress, and one of my favorite ways to explore a city.
Homeschooling four kids away from family, while my husband regularly works 60‑hour weeks, can be a lot. The most reliable way I’ve found to get my runs in is by bringing my kids along. Two of my littles ride in the stroller while my kindergartener bikes beside me. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps me sane.
To make running with kids enjoyable instead of stressful, I look for San Francisco running trails with minimal car traffic, wide paved paths for strollers that can accommodate a double stroller, and enough visual interest to keep little riders engaged. These are my favorite stroller‑friendly running trails in San Francisco.
1. Sunset Dunes (Wide, Paved Paths for Strollers)
Probably San Francisco’s most controversial park, Sunset Dunes is hands‑down my favorite place to run with a stroller. This two‑mile stretch of former highway has been converted into a mostly car‑free park and trail system, with only occasional maintenance vehicles.
The wide path offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean to the west and Golden Gate Park to the north. Along the way you’ll see installations from San Francisco’s Big Art Loop, hammocks for resting, and outdoor exercise equipment that makes it easy to turn a run into a full‑body workout. It’s hard to beat the combination of beauty, safety, and space,especially when running with kids.
2. JFK Promenade (Golden Gate Park Paved Paths for Strollers)
The car‑free stretch of JFK Promenade is a close second. Running through Golden Gate Park is always energizing, and the promenade offers a wide, smooth surface that’s ideal for strollers.
The car‑free section begins near Transverse Road by Naga, the sea serpent, and continues all the way to Kezar Drive. Along the route you’ll pass the back of the de Young Museum, the Music Concourse, the Conservatory of Flowers, and several gardens.
I rank this just below Sunset Dunes because the Golden Gate Park shuttle does run through parts of the park, and many cyclists treat the promenade like an expressway. It’s still a fantastic option, just one that requires a bit more awareness.
3. Crissy Field Promenade (Iconic San Francisco Running Trail)
Crissy Field easily offers some of the most beautiful running views in the world. The promenade features sweeping vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco Bay, with a stunning blend of natural landscape and iconic architecture.
I highly recommend stopping at the Presidio Tunnel Tops during or after your run,my kids love stretching their legs there. The main drawbacks of this trail are its narrower sections, proximity to car traffic, and dirt portions of the path. With a double stroller, it can feel a little stressful at times, though it may be more manageable with a single jogger.
4. Bay Trail – Mission Bay & Dogpatch (Urban Paved Paths for Strollers)
We live on the east side of the city, so this is my most frequently used route. The kids love the dramatic sights along the way, from towering Oracle Park to views of downtown, the Bay Bridge, and the cranes at Crane Cove.
A playground recently opened at Crane Cove, which has become a favorite pit stop for water breaks and movement. While the scenery is fantastic, the section of trail that runs near the port has heavier car traffic and can feel stressful with kids in tow, making this one of my less relaxing runs.
5. Bay Trail – Embarcadero (Flat, Paved Paths for Strollers)
This stretch of the Bay Trail runs from the end of King Street all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf. The flat, paved route passes many of San Francisco’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Bay Bridge, Cupid’s Span, the Ferry Building, Pier 39, and North Beach.
Right now, you can also enjoy several installations from San Francisco’s Big Art Project. My kids love the familiar sights, and we often end our run at the Exploratorium, which makes this one of their favorite routes. While it’s undeniably beautiful, it can be crowded with tourists and occasionally feels a bit overwhelming.
6. Lake Merced (Long Loop San Francisco Running Trail)
The Lake Merced perimeter trail is a 4.6‑mile loop around Lake Merced and Harding Park Golf Course. The mostly flat trail offers peaceful views of Monterey cypress and eucalyptus groves, along with frequent bird sightings along the Pacific Flyway.
There are also art installations along the route, including Beniamino Bufano’s Penguin’s Prayer. My biggest concern here is that parts of the walking path are narrow for a double stroller and run close to Lake Merced Boulevard, which can detract from the experience.
7. Bonus Run: Devil’s Slide (Scenic Paved Paths for Strollers Near San Francisco)
Devil’s Slide is technically in Pacifica, but it’s too breathtaking not to include. This former stretch of Highway 1 was converted into a pedestrian and cycling path after the opening of the Tom Lantos Tunnels.
The wide path hugs a steep coastal cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with incredible views and plenty of plants, wildlife, and geology to spark kids’ curiosity. Whenever I share photos or videos from this run, I get endless questions about where it is. While the path itself is wide, I do encourage kids to stay well back from the guardrails.
Final Thoughts on San Francisco Running Trails and Paved Paths for Strollers
Running with kids looks different than running solo, but San Francisco running trails with paved paths for strollers make it possible to keep running in every season of parenthood. If you’re a San Francisco parent trying to fit movement into a busy season of life, stroller running might be the thing that helps you show up feeling more like yourself.
I’m always looking for new stroller‑friendly routes, so if you have a favorite Bay Area run, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Later this month, I’ll also be sharing what I wish I’d known when I first started running with kids, along with a full review of my favorite jogging stroller.
If you’re a new San Francisco parent, welcome to the club. You might also enjoy these family‑friendly city guides:
Seven Founding Hills 
Leave a comment